The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-10-01
''TARANTULA TOM.

Agt0 CalIoyMto reporter. As he spoke he pointed to short, stout man dressed in light suit, who stood
 "A tarantula trainer?" remarked the reporter inquiringly.
 That's it. exactly" was the reply : he makes a speciality of training tarantulas and spiders. He was once almost crazy on snakes, but now he appears to be wrapped up in the edu- cation of spiders. Talk to him; he can probably tell you an interesting story"
 The reporter acted upon the sugges- ton. An introduction to MT. Schand- lev followed.
 ''Yes," said Mr. Schandley, "I must admit that Pm what some people term ma crank on spiders. like the creatures and never tire of study ing their habits. Solomon of old ad- vised the lazy man to study the ways and manners ot the ant. l don't care to pose as rival of Solomon as dis penser of wisdom, but will maintain that the spider can teach a better idea of industry than any ant that ever iived Eve watched the creatures. An ant runs about all day and puts ill all it's time hunting for the hole where 1t lives. In contrast to the actions of the ant the spider spins web and at least makes showing as to what it can do. If you will come to my room I'll show you some of my pets"
 TNb., 1lsn~lt- ho invitation, and before an hour had eX- pired he did not regret the time which he devoted to Ais new acquaint- ance.
 Here's my tavorite spider" said Mir. Schandley, as he placed a cigar box with holes bored in the top on the table. He threw back the lid and disclosed the occupant of the box, which was an ugly, hairy tarantula. As the light was thrown upon the tarantula it began to move its joints and cavort around the box in a man. her that would have caused timid woman to go into mysteries. The re- porter drew back as the savage look ing creature displayed a tendency to creep out of the box.
 ''Oh, don't be afraid of Tim. call him Tim O'Brien, you know" said MT. Schandley: it's only little nick name. He can't hurt you. Pve drawn the poison from his nippers. Come, Tim," and, to the horror of the re- porter, Mr. Schandley reached his hand out and allowed the tarantula to crawl upon it. A tarantula is not a very handsome or pleasing specimen of an animal under any circumstances, but it causes shudder to come over the ordinary man to see one dragging its hairy form over the hand of hu- man being. MT. Schandley allowed the creature to crawl around his fin gers, and it worked it's way up his coat sleeves. 1t stopped when near Mr. Schandley's elbow and cooked its eyes up at the reporter in what the latter considered a wicked manner.
 ''Go back to your box, Tim" com handed Tim's master in harsh tones, and to the reporters surprise the ani- nal quickly turned and smelled over its owners hands and dropped into the cigar box.
 lldtC NCll lIullCO1 ' Ou laughed the trainer of tarantulas as he closed the lid on Mir. OBrien; "but I'll show you another specimen. Here is Jim Blaine" Mr. Schandley opened another box and exposed to view a reddish brown tarantula It was 3 lively customer, and as soon as the lid of the box was thrown back it fairly leaped out upon the table. The re- porter sprang back. Don't be alarmed" said the trainer, and he seized Jim Blaine" around the body. The namesake of the Republican leader kicked and struggled as hard as his human prototype did ill 1884, when ne heard that New York had gone hack on him.
 Jim is Texas boy and the dandy of his kind. Just feel him." The re- porter requested to be excused from feeling "Jim." "The only failing that Jim has is that he drinks whisky and Is confirmed toper."
 Drinks whisky?"
 "Yes, siree. Tll prove it." Mir. Schandley laid Jim back in his box and closed the lid. He took bottle of whisky from stand and saturated small sponge with the alchoholic stimulant. "I'll put this in with Jim and let him wrestle with it,r said MT. Schandley. And he dropped the sponge in the box.
 A queer business Pm in?- said the tarantnla trainer, in reply to a ques- ton thrown out by the reporter. "fes, it is. Money in it. Yes. was snake hunter in Bucks county. Pa..